The Environment Agency Manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dave Throup has said that the River Severn at Shropshire has peaked at Crew Green with a peak in Shrewsbury and Ironbridge later today.

A family had to be rescued from their holiday cottage in Gloucestershire after being stranded for more than a week.

The family were rescued from their holiday cottage (at top of picture). Credit: SWNS

Eight adults, four children and a dog were rescued on Saturday from the cottage which had become isolated after the Environment Agency closed a flood gate, separating the home from the rest of the village.

The family spent the week inside playing board games.

Simon Hughes waits to be rescued from the cottage. Credit: Simon Hughes

Communities in Cornwall worst affected by this year's flooding have been urged to make use of "a direct hotline to Government" to help prevent future disasters.

Floodplains were saturated and roads became impassable, while sections of Britain's public transport network ground to a halt in the county.

Tory MP Sheryll Murray, whose South East Cornwall constituency was badly affected by the flooding, has been in contact with Environment Minister Richard Benyon and is determined to pass on residents' concerns and suggestions in an effort to avoid future devastation.

Asked if that meant she had a direct hotline to the heart of Government, the Conservative MP said: "Yes it certainly is, the minister does take notice of what all members of Parliament say to him. He is a very, very caring, committed minister who looks for a solution."

Some residents have returned to their homes in Ystalyfera in the Upper Swansea Valley after a landslide just days before Christmas. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is still advising people who live there to stay away.

This shipping container and van slipped down the hill after heavy rain Credit: ITV News Wales